Apparatus for stringing a thread through a hole

ABSTRACT

A tool for threading an advancing strand through an aperture. The advancing strand is initially entrained in a suction gun. A blowing tube which produces a fluid jet is provided to blow a loop of the advancing strand through the aperture. A cutter downstream of the blowing tube cuts the strand and the suction gun again entrains the strand after it is passed through the aperture.

United States Patent 1191 Coats etal. 1 1 July 16, 1974 APPARATUS FOR STRINGING A THREAD 226/91, 92, 97

THROUGH A HOLE [75] Inventors: Robert Reid Coats; John Michael [56] References Greenway, both of Harrogate, UNITED STATES PATENTS England 2,481,197 9/1949 Caille 226/91 x Assigneez Imperial Chemical Industries 3,564,958 2/197] Richter 83/100 Limited, London, England Primary Exammer-Andrew R. Juhasz [22] Med: 1973 Assistant Examiner-W. R. Briggs [21] Appl. No.: 348,077 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Cushman, Darby &

Related U.S. Application Data us man [62] 3Di7vislioon58f Ser. No. 141,705, May 10, 1971', Pat. No. [57 ABSTRACT A tool for threading an advancing strand through an 30 F A u P D t aperture. The advancing strand is initially entrained in 1 M 2 F 2 g g i on y a a 25530/70 a suction gun. A blowing tube which produces a fluid J ay 9 l970 i 2784mm jet is provided to blow a loop of the advancing strand rea n through the aperture. A cutter downstream of the blowing tube cuts the strand and the suction gun again [52] U.S. Cl SS/100, 83/402, 8833//S68399, entrains the Strand after it is passed through the p 511 I 1111. c1 B65h 29/24 [58] Field of Search 83/402, 100, 175, 98; 4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures APPARATUS FOR STRINGING A THREAD THROUGH A HOLE ing strand such as a yarn through an aperture with a closed circumference.

Machinery for processing a yarn or like strand can be designed for threading the strand through the machine before it has been started, or during an initial slow running period, or at normal processing speed. Especially in the latter case it iscommon to arrange for threading to be possible without having to pass the strand through an aperture with a closed circumference. However such apertures cannot always be avoided, two examples being the ring of a ring and traveller wind up mechanism anda false twisting bush as disclosed in British Pat. No. 79705]. g

According to one aspect of this invention we provide a method wherebye a continuously advancing strand issuing from a supply means and entrained in a coll ecting means may be threaded through an aperture with a closed circumference, comprising the steps of blowing the strand to divert it into an open looped path directed towards the aperture, blowing at least a part of the strand in the loop through the aperture, entraining part of the strand beyond the aperture in a suction gun adapted to maintain at least some tension in the strand, and severing the strand'between the gun and the collection means after the strand has been diverted. We prefer that the suction gun is also used as the initial collection means; and we prefer to sever the strand after the moment of second entrainment, so thatafter a first open loop is diverted through the aperture, a second closed loop is formed from the gun through the aperture and back to the'gun and the closed loop is then severed leaving the strand travelling in a direct path from the supply means through the aperture to the gun.

We prefer that the blowing is effected by compressed an aperture comprising (a) means adapted to produce I a fluid jet, (b) strand severing means and (c) guiding means adapted to guide an advancing strand in operative proximity to means (a) and-(b) wherebye a strand may be blown by the jet into'a looped path and severed. We prefer to provide an operative member adapted both to cause a jet and shortly thereafter to operate a cutter. We particularly prefer that the threading tool of the invention be adapted to be mounted on a suction gun or to have a suction gun mounted on it, in such disposition that the jet nozzle and gun throat are in line and may be held with the aperture to be threaded be tween them.

For the better understanding of the invention one specific threading process and one specific threading tool will now be described by way of example with ref erence to the accompanying drawings in which FIG. l'illustrates schematically the operative parts of apparatus for threading by the method of the invention and FIG. 2 is a perspective and partly cut away view of a threading tool according to the invention. Referring to FIG. 1 a blowing tube 1 is connected via a manually operated valve 2 to a source of compressed air not shown; a side tube 3 connects tube 1 to a cylinder 4 containing a piston adapted to operate a cutter 5; and three guides 6, 7 and 8 are adapted to control the position of a strand 9 advancing from supply means not shown to a suction gun 10 which is also connected to the source of compressed air not shown.

In operation, the suction gun is placed behind a member 11 containing a hole 12 to be threaded, andthe threading tool is placed with its blowing tube 1 close to the entrance to hole 12. When valve 2 is opened the strand 9 is blown through hole 12 into suction gun 10. Air pressure meanwhile builds .up in cylinder 4 and then operates cutter 5 which cuts the loop formed through hole 12 and round guide 8, leaving the advancing strand running as required from the supply means as to be suitable for threading less readily accessible holes. I

It will be appreciated that depending on the weight,

' speed and tension of the strand, and on the length of the aperture, the air pressure and the time lapse between the operation of valve 2 and cutter 5, this apparatus is suitable forcarrying out the method of the invention in different sequences of steps.

Referring to FIG. 2, the tool comprises a body 21 to which is connected a flexible pipe 22 leading from a compressed airsupply, a cutter 23, a blowing jet 24,

three yarn guides 25, 26 and 27, a shoe 28 adapted for connection to the body of a suction gun, and a trigger 29 located adjacent a handle part 30 of the body 21. Trigger 29 operates a valve within body 21 between pipe 22 and internal duct 31. Duct 31 opens into jet 24 and has a side duct 32 opening into a cylinder 33 fitted with a piston 34 connected to a rod 35 adapted to actuate cutter 23. A spring 36 urges piston 34 and rod 35 to move cutter 23 into its open position.

In operation a yarn 37 continuously advancing from a delivery means to a suction gun is threaded into guides 25, 26 and 27 and the gun is mounted on shoe 28 facing jet 24. The tool is positioned with a hole to be threaded between the gun and jet 24. On operation of trigger29, jet 24 blows a loop of the yarn 37 towards I the hole to be threaded, and piston 34 is urged to the right. Cutter 23 then cuts the yarn and jet 24 blows a loop of yarn into the suction gun, which also collects the waste yarn downstream of the cutter. On release of the trigger, piston 34 and cutter 23 are returned by spring 36. The yarn 37 is then released from guide 25 and .is travelling directly from the supply means through the hole to the gun as required.

What we claim is:

I. A tool for use in conjunction with a suction gun to thread a continuously advancing strand through an aperture such tool comprising means for producing a fluid jet, strand severing means and strand guiding means, whereby a strand continuously advancing from a supply means and entrained in a suction gun may be guided by the guiding means in operative proximity to the entrance to the aperture while the suction gun is in operative proximity to the exit of the aperture, the fluid jet may be caused to blow the strand through the aperture to be entrained a second time in the suction gun, and upon a predetermined build up of fluid pressure being admitted from the fluid jet means the severing means is actuated to sever the strand between such first and second points of entrainment leaving a continuous strand advancing from the supply means through the aperture to the suction gun.

2. A tool according to claim 1 having a manually operative member effective to actuate the means for producing a fluid .jet and the strand severing means.

3. A tool for threading a continuously advancing strand through an aperture comprising aspirator means effective to entrain the continuously advancing strand, means for producing a fluid jet, strand severing means and strand guiding means, whereby a strand continuously advancing from a supply means may be entrained in the aspirator means, and guided by the guiding means in operative proximity to the entrance to the aperture, and whereby the fluid jet may be caused to blow the strand through the aperture to be entrained a second time in the aspirator means, and upon a predetermined build up of fluid pressure being admitted from the fluid jet means the severing means is actuated to sever the strand between its first and second points of entrainment in the aspirator means, leaving a continuous strand advancing from the supply means through the aperture to the a'spirator means.

4. A tool according to claim 3 having a manually 0perative member effective to actuate the means for producing a fluid jet and the strand severing means. 

1. A tool for use in conjunction with a suction gun to thread a continuously advancing strand through an aperture such tool comprising means for producing a fluid jet, strand severing means and strand guiding means, whereby a strand continuously advancing from a supply means and entrained in a suction gun may be guided by the guiding means in operative proximity to the entrance to the aperture while the suction gun is in operative proximity to the exit of the aperture, the fluid jet may be caused to blow the strand through the aperture to be entrained a second time in the suction gun, and upon a predetermined build up of fluid pressure being admitted from the fluid jet means the severing means is actuated to sever the strand between such first and secOnd points of entrainment leaving a continuous strand advancing from the supply means through the aperture to the suction gun.
 2. A tool according to claim 1 having a manually operative member effective to actuate the means for producing a fluid jet and the strand severing means.
 3. A tool for threading a continuously advancing strand through an aperture comprising aspirator means effective to entrain the continuously advancing strand, means for producing a fluid jet, strand severing means and strand guiding means, whereby a strand continuously advancing from a supply means may be entrained in the aspirator means, and guided by the guiding means in operative proximity to the entrance to the aperture, and whereby the fluid jet may be caused to blow the strand through the aperture to be entrained a second time in the aspirator means, and upon a predetermined build up of fluid pressure being admitted from the fluid jet means the severing means is actuated to sever the strand between its first and second points of entrainment in the aspirator means, leaving a continuous strand advancing from the supply means through the aperture to the aspirator means.
 4. A tool according to claim 3 having a manually operative member effective to actuate the means for producing a fluid jet and the strand severing means. 